Atmospheric Circulation Over South Africa

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Abstract
Although appreciable progress has been made recently In the practice ot synoptic meteorology in southern Africa little has been done towards developing a satisfactory theory of the climate. Most published accounts of the cUmate still use maps of mean sea-level pressure in January and July In order to explain the seasonal dUferences In the cUmate. Some of this work is discussed and It is shown that such maps are not in accordance with the observed winds over the plateau. New maps are drawn for the 2 km. level which are in much better agreement with the observed winds. The important diurnal variation of the wind at the surface of the plateau Is explained In terms of the variation In the horizontal gradient of temperature between the surface and the 2 km. level. It Is shown that isobaric maps of mean pressure do not provide a satisfactory basis for explaining the seasonal differences of climate. tor the normal circulations are similar in the two seasons.

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